Indoor-outdoor carpet makes a deck more comfortable to walk on and reduces the risk of splinters.
Forget about the green-turf carpets that you saw in the 1970s: With a large selection of colors and textures now available, indoor-outdoor carpet is much more than that. An intermediate-level do-it-yourselfer can tackle the installation in one day. You might have to rent a carpet-roller, but the tight seal it will provide will make it worth the minor expense.
Tools & Materials
Tools
| Materials
|
Indoor-Outdoor Carpet Varieties
For easy-to-clean, fade- and stain-resistant carpet, choose material made from UV-resistant olefin fibers. Indoor-outdoor carpet is available in varying grades of quality, color and weave. Do the touch test-the thicker the carpet feels, the higher the grade and durability. For areas that are prone to dampness or fully exposed to weather, make sure the carpet has an all-weather "marine" backing for moisture resistance.
The following are just a few examples of available indoor-outdoor carpet:
 Economy grade grass carpet is good for all indoor areas and covered outdoor areas with low traffic. |  High grade grass carpet is good for all indoor areas and fully-exposed outdoor areas. |  High grade grass carpet with marine backing is best for fully exposed outdoor areas. |
 Mid-grade plush carpet is good for indoor installation and covered outdoor areas with low traffic. |  High grade plush carpet is good for indoor installation and covered outdoor areas. |  Berber loop carpet with marine backing is best for indoor installation, especially in basements and other areas prone to moisture. |
Surface Preparation for Indoor-Outdoor Carpet
Indoor-outdoor carpet can be loose-laid or adhered to concrete, asphalt or wood decking with glue or double-faced tape. The main requirement is that the surface be clean, dry and smooth. You'll need to apply outdoor sealer to painted or waxed wood and slotted wooden decks.
| Surface Type | Cure/Weather | Clean | Dry | Sand | Apply Outdoor Sealer | Resurface with Plywood |
| Concrete | 60 days |  | | |||
| Painted/waxed Wood | | | | | | |
| Slotted Wooden Decks | 60 days | | | | | |
| Ceramic/Marble | | | | |||
| Slate/Brick | | | ||||
| Asphalt | 30 days | | | |||
| Swimming pool decks | | | ||||
| Plywood surface | |
How Much Carpet Do You Need?
Indoor-outdoor carpet is available in 6' and 12' widths. Use our handy carpet calculator to find out exactly how much you'll need.
Carpet Adhesives
Many patios or decks receive varying amounts of sunlight. Purchase a quality indoor-outdoor carpet adhesive to help avoid problems with mildew or rot from moisture build up.
Adhesives and vapors are flammable. Extinguish pilot lights, cigarettes, or other sources of open flames before applying.
Installing Your Indoor-Outdoor Carpet
Indoor-outdoor carpet is very easy to install on a prepared surface. For the best results, install carpet when the temperature is between 55 F and 95 F and the humidity is between 10 percent and 65 percent. Use two-sided tape for lower grade carpet and indoor-outdoor adhesive for higher grade.
Unroll the carpet in the place where it will be installed and allow it to expand for one hour.
For double-sided tape installation, place double-sided tape around the edge of the room and place a 6"x 6" X every 2 feet on the subfloor. Leave the protective paper on the topside of the tape.
Center the carpet in the room. Position the carpet, allowing the edges to curl up against the wall. Remember to allow 3" on each side for trimming.
Trim around outside corners and protruding objects by making a vertical slice down the carpet. Cut the carpet from the top down to where it touches the floor.
To fit inside corners, cut the carpet in V-shaped cuts where it overlaps. Work your way down carefully, making several V-cuts until the carpet rests flat.
For rooms requiring seams, make sure the pile runs in the same direction to avoid apparent discoloration. Overlap the two pieces at least 2".
Make a double-cut seam. Use a straightedge and sharp utility knife to cut a seam through both layers at the same time. Discard the cut strips.
Starting from the wall, fold half of the carpet back without disturbing the bottom half.
If you choose to use adhesive for permanent installation, use a notched spreader to apply indoor-outdoor adhesive to the subfloor. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Slowly unroll the carpet into place over the adhesive. Smooth any bumpy areas. Repeat for the bottom half.
For installation using double-sided tape, remove the protective paper from the tape and fold the carpet back into place carefully. Repeat for the other half.
Use a 50 lb. carpet roller to properly adhere the carpet to the adhesive or tape.
Use a sharp utility knife to trim the edges of the carpet. Hold the knife parallel to the floor. Trim around the entire perimeter of the room. Tuck the carpet under the wall.
Apply seam adhesive at the seams and butt the seams together. If a slight buckle forms, work it out by pressing the seams together or rolling the area.
Clean off any excess adhesive with a mild solvent following the manufacturer's instructions.
Walk along the edges of the room to ensure proper adherence.
Use a metal binder strip or aluminum saddle to create a threshold to connect one room to another.
Good idea: Clip any loose yarn ends in the carpet to avoid unraveling.
Tools, products, materials, techniques, building codes and local regulations change; therefore, Lowe's assumes no liability for omissions, errors or the outcome of any project. The reader must always exercise reasonable caution, follow current codes and regulations that may apply, and is urged to consult with a licensed professional if in doubt about any procedures. Please read our terms of use.